Control mechanism for mail treating machines



April 10, 1945. F. P. SAGER EI'AL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MAIL TREATINGMACHINES Original Filed April 29, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet l April 10, 1945.F. P. SAGER ET AL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MAIL TREATING MACHINES 9Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April 29, 1940 IBM:

III!

INVENTORS Commodore D- R/ p 1945. F. P. SAGER ETAL CONTROL MECHANISM FORMAIL TREATING MACHINES Original Filed April 29, I 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 3mww INVENTORS Commbdore ,D-R

f ATTORNE Frank B Say BY M April 10, 1945. F. P. SAGER ET AL 2,373,503

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MAIL TREATING MACHINES Original Filed April 29,1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS 4 00272272051 DIR an I Sayer w ll/MU 5AT RNE 2F. P. sAeek ETAL 3 5 CONTROL- MECHANISM FOR MAIL TREATINGMACHINES Original Filed April 29, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORSCommodore D. Ryan BY Frank 1. Sayer Arrorrm a April 10, 1945. F. P.SAGER ETAL 2,373,503

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MAIL TREATING MACHINES Original Filed April 29,1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 6v INVENTORS I 27 16'- Commodore D. R an 9 Frank 1?,S'ayer Y $ZJJVM-I/ WW7 ATTORNE April 0, 1945. F. P. SAGER ET AL CONTROLMECHANISM FOR MAIL TREATING MACHINES Original Filed April 29, 1940 9Sheets-Sheet '7 m .eS m

VOIK T T April 10, 1945.

' F. P. SAGER ET AL 2,373,503

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MAIL TREATING MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 ori inalFiled April 29, 1940 g INVENTORS Commbdore D. Ryan,

Frank 1 Sayer April 10, 1945.

F. P. SAGER ET AL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MAIL TREATING MACHINES OriginalFiled April 29, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 m. M yr R m/lm R S r mw M NO 0fiwww mu M? a 6 Patented Apr. 10, 1 945 cement OFFICE b TREATINGMACHINES Frank P." Sagn'Alhambra, and Commodore D. v

'Ryan, Los Ang'les, Calif. ass'ignors to com 'mercialCohtrolscorporatioma corporation of Delaware ()ri ginal application April 29,1940, SerialNo. 332,305. Divided and this application March 20, 1942, Serial No.435,488 7 it clai s; c1. 101-235) invention relates to improvement-s ina mail treatingfmaclrline,

It is amongthe objects of this invention to provid a mail treatingmachine capable of operating efiici'ently at high speeds and effectivelyhandling enve1opes, cards and the like, aryi g reatly wiathl leneth andthickness; It is-a furtheran- .iect to provide a machine of theabove'nature capable of sealin -and printing postage onv en 'velopes andalso capable of sealing envelopes without printing postage thereon;Other ob;- jeets win be in part apparent; and in part pointedouthereinarter;

The invent o accordingly consists in the tea Y tui-e's of construction,combinations of elements and arrangements of partsas will be exemplifiedin the structure to be hereinafter describd'a'nd the scope ofvwhich willbe indicated'in the iollo'we ing claims.

'rms application a division or thefappiieaticn of Frank P. Sager, et at,SerialNo. 332,305, filed April 29, 1940. V v In the drawings,whereinfthere isshown one embodiment of our invention, 1

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine; Figure 21s a fragmentaryelevationtaken along the line 2-2 of Figure '3 portions thereof beingbroken away;

Figure .3 is a fragmentary sectionalelevation of a a portion of thepower plant or .thema'chin'e showing the main drive and the clutchthrough which the printing mechanism is driven.

Figure 4 is an enlarged developed diagrammatic View of the automatic.and manual clutch tripping mechanism in its. neutral position, and itwould appear when the printing mechanism is mounted in place; r K

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of the-main clutchtripping and disengaging Figure 11 1st; sectional view takensutstantiaiiy I iii the plane 'of'l |H Of Figlli' 8;

hand lever, as taken substantially in the plane of v v line -55 ofFigure'7;

Figure 6 is a fragmental sectional view taken I generally in the planeof line 6-45 of Figure 3, to show the delay and main clutch tripping andresetting means; v v

Figure 7 is a fragmental sectional view taken substantially in the planeof line l---'-! of Figure 6;

.Figure '8 is a iragmental sectional view of'the driving clutch andassociated parts taken substantially in the plane of line 8-4 of. Figure6-;

Figure 9 is asectional viewtaken substantially in the plane of 9=-9of-Figure 8;

Figure 10 .is a sectional view taken substantially in, the plane ofI'm-100i Figure 8; I

rigure z is 'a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of linel2-'-'l2 of Figii'r'e 8 I H I v t Figure 13 is an enlarged plan viw ofone of the clutch rollers and its'bearing disc to Show the offsetrelation of these parts;

Figure 14 is a composite view showing the envelope tripping mechanismlocated in its most 'advanc'er'i positiorrwith respect to the printingdrum of the postage "printing, mechanisin, at

which position the members stampedon the envelope will leave arelatively wide margin between the forward edge of the stamp withrespect to the leading edge of the envelope, as shown in Fig- Figure 15is a fragmental {view .ofla stamped envelope showing the memberspositioned as described in connection with the description of Figure 14;I 1

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 1 4-,a-but shows the trippingmechanism positioned to provide a narrow margin between the forward'edgeof the members with relation to the forward edge of the envelope asshown in Figure 17;

Figure 17 shows a fragmental portion of an, envelopeshowing the memberspositioned as de-v scribedin connection with-the description of Figure v16;

Figure 18 is similar to Figures 14 and 16, but shows the trippingmechanism po'sitio'ned to permit the sealing of envelopes withoutprinting stamps thereon; d p

Figure 19 is a plan view of the envelope tripping mechanism shown inFigures 14, 1 6'and l-8 with a portion of the supporting frameinsection, and showing an envelope contacting the three trigger 1fingers of the device;

Figure is a View ken substantially in the plane of linen-20 of Figure21; r

'Figu-re2l-is an enlargedrview similarto'j-Fig me 19', and indicating th-operation of two .ofthe. tripping fingersbyenvelopes conveyed through.the machine out of correct printing register; j

Figure 22 is a fragmental sectional viewtaken substantially'in the planeof line 22-42 of Figure 3 to show the driving mechanism for the tape 1feeding device; v

Figure 23 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially in the planeof line 23=-23 of'Figure 3 to show'the safety clutch; and, Figure 24 Iis a iragmental view taken substantiazlly -in the plane of line -24 of'2 3;= Similar. reference characters referto similar I parts throughoutthe various views of the drawings.

General description adjustment for handling and treating all types I andclasses of mailing matter. This machine is capable of treating such mailmatter at high speed and under full control and with protection againstwaste of postage or unauthorized use, and may be easily and convenientlyadjusted to seal and stamp, or stamp without sealing, or seal withoutstamping, envelopes of various lengths, widths and thicknesses.

To attain high speed operation and versatility in handling the manydifferent types of mailing matter, the value printing mechanism, 1. e.the postage meter, should be capable of actuation in response to themovement of envelopes or cards, for example, and a's automatic actuationof the postage meter i quite desirable, the mechanism which effects suchautomatic operation should be characterized by a high degree ofsensitivity so as to respond readily to the passage of mail matter whichis light inweight, and which might be torn or otherwise mutilatedthrough lack of sensitivity.

Inasmuchas machines of thischaracter usually operate in successivecomplete cycles, rather than continuously in the manner of. a rotaryprinting press, it is necessary to provide a clutch between the powerplant and the postage meter, which clutch operates in timed response tothe mech-.

anism actuated by engagement of the mailing matter. A clutch of thischaracter should accordingly be sufficiently sturdy to withstandextended operation of'the character under consideration.

Accordingly, it is toward the end of incorporating the above features,in addition to others, in a practical and eflicient mail treatingmachinev that our invention described hereinbelow is directed.

As shown in Figure 1, the machine includes generally the following majorelements and mechanisms which for convenience are identified by thegeneral reference number preceding each:

l50-frame structure I 5 I --feed hopper l52--stripper l53-conveyingfeeding system for the mail matter l54-envelope flap moistening devicel55power plant and driving mechanism l56-tape feeding device l51meter,i58-ink feeding mechanism for the meter All of these elements, inaddition to others, are

described in detail in the above-noted Sager et a1.

application. The description herein is directed primarily to themechanism for actuating the meter in response to movement of envelopesor cards through the machine to the mechanism for delaying theengagement of the clutch mech-' or the like, are stacked in shingledrelationship within said hopper l5l, from which they are individuallyand successively fed through the coaotion of the feeding mechanism (notshown herein) with the stripper I52 to the conveying system I53 whichcarries the envelop or card past the tripping mechanism (describedhereinafter) to the printing mechanism of meter I51. After the envelopehas been printed it is ejected into a suitable hopper or the like 311,which completes one operative cycle of the machine.

Power plant 155 (Figures 2 and 3) The power plant and driving mechanismtherefor includes a motor 494 connected to drive a counter-shaft 496 bymeans Of pulleys 497 and 498 connected by a belt 499. Counter-shaft 495(Figure 3) is journaled in a bearing 500 formed in the fronttransmission bracket I63 of the power unit, and in a bearing 50| formedin the rear transmission bracket I64 of the power unit. Mounted oncounter-shaft 496 between bearings 500 and 50! is a safety clutchgenerally indicated at 502, which safety clutch includes a fixed disc503 fastened to the countershaft by a taper pin 504 (Figure 23). Thefixed disc has attached thereto a series of friction pads 505 which maybe formed of leather or other suitable material and project from theside face of the driving disc, as shown in Figures 23 and 24. A drivingdisc 506 is journaled upon countershaft 496, and is forced againstdriving disc 503 by a compression sprin 501 so as to engage the frictionpads 505 of the driving disc, as shown in Figure 23. Safety clutchspring 501 is partially compressed between a pair of lock nuts 508mounted at one end of the threaded portion of a sleeve 509 and a thrustwasher 5l0 carried by driven disc 506, so as constantly to bias thedriven disc against fixed disc 503. Threaded sleeve 509 is secured tocounter shaft 496 preferably by a taper pin 5| I. Through the provisionof two lock nuts 508 on sleeve 508, the compression of spring 501 may beadjusted so as to thrust the driven disc 506 against friction pads 505of driving disc 503 with sufficient force to insure the transmission ofpower through the safety clutch 502 for all normal operating conditions;lock nut 508, however, should be so adjusted that in case any of theoperating parts of the machine should jam or become inoperative for anyreason, the safety clutch will slip thereby preventing damage to themachine.

As shown in Figure 3, power is transmitted I from the driven disc 506 ofsafety clutch 502 to the platen driving shaft 5l2 through a spur pinion5l3 securely mounted on the hub of safety clutch driving disc 5%. Thispinion meshes with a driven gear 5M secured to shaft 5l2 in any suitablemanner. For specific details of the platen driving shaft, the manner inwhich it is mounted in the power unit, and the way it operates,reference is made to the above-noted Sager et a1. application, as suchspecific details of construction and operation are not pertinent here.

The main shaft 522 of the power unit driving mechanism is journaled in abearing 523 (Figure 8) carried by the front transmission bracket 53, andin a bearing 524 carried bythe rear transmission bracket I64. A maindrive gear 525 is journaled on shaft 522 between bearings 523 and 524,and meshes with gear 524 (Figure 3). The gear train comprising gears5E3, 5M and 525 is shown in Figure wherein it will be noted that maindriving gear 525 is slightly larger than gear 5H, which latter gear isthe one through which the platen roller is driven.

This fliflference in gear size is for the purpose of'providing'substantially the same peripheral speed for the platen rollerand the printing drum of the meter, which roller and are of the sameperipheral diameter as the pitch diameter 502 andthe tminof gears 513,and'525. As

will be described hereinbelow, main shaft 5212 drives meter 151 through.a clutch which is automatically actuated upon the passage of an en-vvelope, for example, through the machine.

Main driving gear 525 is journaled-on main drive shaft 522 (Figure 8) soas to turn -freely thereon, and may be connected in driving relationwith shaft 522 by a meter clutch generally indicated at 52-5 (see alsoFigure 3). clutch 3525 is of the one revolution type, i 'e. when placedin operation it operates through one full revolution and thereafterautomatically re leases, all as will be described hereinafter.

The meter'drivin'g clutch 525 (Figure :8) is preferably divided into twoportions, namely a delay clutch portion 531 and a main meter drivingportion 538. This is for the purpose of enabling the trip mechanismwhich is actuated during the passage of envelopes along the oonveyorsystem to the printing station, to be positioned well vin advance ofsaid I printing station, and therefore, a delay period between theactuation of the trip mechanism by the envelope "and the driving of themeter (must be provided to coordinate the operation of said meter withthe arrival of the envelope at the printing station.

The delay portion 531 of clutch mechanism includes :main driving gear525 having a clutch ring 539 (Figure 8) provided with an annular groove540 within which is mounted a spring ring 5. The spring ring 54! maybeformed of any suitable material and is step-cut to provide over lappingend portions 542 and 543 (Figures 4 '7, 8, "and 12). The first portionof the step-cut is shown. in Figures 7 and 8 and is indicated in thesefigures at 544. The second portion of the step-cut is indicated mostclearly in Figures"? and 12 at 545 and the final portion of the stepcutis shown in Figures 7 and 12 at 546. ..The overlapping end portion 543of the spring ring 541 is provided with a stop lug 541 while theoverlapping end portion 542 is provided with a cam lobe 54-8. The ringis bored slightly smaller than the diameter of groove 54!) and due toits step-cut arrangement may be snapped into the groove with a slightclamping tension so as to rotate with the clutch ring. f

The spring ring is normally held against rotation by providing a triplever 549 (Figure 4) which trip lever is mounted in a manner later Meterto be describ'ed and engages the stop 1ug541' (Figure 79 of the ring.The spring'ringin its endeavor to rotate against the trip lever will actto sufficiently release its clutching tension "to permit the clutch ring539 (Figure 8) to rotate relatively freely with respect to said springring,

Upon disengagement of trip lever 549 (Figure 7) from spring ring lug541, the tension in the ring will act to clamp said ring in clutchingengagement around the clutch ring 539 (Figure 8) and to thereby rotatethe'spring ring with said clutch ring Rotation of the delay clutchspring ring- 541 is employed to trip the meter clutch into drivingengagement after the spring. ring rollers 550 (Figures 4, 8, 10, 12-and'13) acting between the inner periphery of clutch ring 535 (Figure 1 2)and bearing discs "55!, which discs are freely seated upon the wedgesurfaces 552 formed on the driven member 553 of said clutch. A rollerretaining member 554 (Figure 10) is provided to control the position ofthe clutch rollers :550 with relation to thewedge-surfaces 552 formed onthe clutch driven member 553 and to thereby control the engagement andreleaseofthe clutch.

The clutch roller discs 55'! are mounted in oft-- set relation withrespect to rollers 550 as shown most clearly in Figure 13, to cause aslight rotation 'of these discs each time the clutcnis engaged' Therotation of discs 55] with the engagement of the clutch. presents a newsurface against which the rollers will wedge each time the clutch isengaged, thereby reducing the "Wear:

on the discs and preventing the rollers from seating in. As a furtheradvantage in this arrangement, the disc 55"! maybe formed oi highquality hardened steel and transmit the driving force to the wedgesurfaces 552 of the driving member through a relatively large surface ofcontact, thereby greatly prolonging the life ofthis member. The releaseand engagement of the clutch is controlled by rotating the rollerretainingmem her 554 with respect to the clutch driven member 553. Aclutch spring 555 (Figure 9') acts to urge the roller retaining member554 "in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 10 and 1-2 to advancethe rollers and discs outwardly along the wedge surfaces of the drivenmember until the rollers enter into Wedging engagement with the innerperiphery of clutch ring 539. To provide the necessary room for clutchspring 555, flange 556is cut away in the manner illustrated at 551 'inFigure 9 and flange 556 is provided with a spring pin 558 extending fromits side face to which one end of-spring 555' is secured; The oppositeend of spring 555 connected to thespring pin 559 extending from the sideface of the roller retaining member flange 550'. As pre-- viouslypointed out, the clutch spring-acts between the driven member 553(Figure 12) and the roller retaining member 554110 continuously urge therollers intodriving' engagement with the clutch ring 539. The resistanceof the mechanism driven by the clutch governs the Wedging" action of therollers during the driving operation. The driven member 553 is connectedto hub 56f offiange 555 by means of a; headed driving in 56-2 as shownin Figures 8-12inc1u'sive,

and the hub is in turn keyed to the main drive shaft 522 by means oftaper pin 553 (Figure 89..

The driving clutch is normally maintained disengaged by'means of clutchcontrol lever 56+ This lever engages .a-

(Figures 4-8, inclusive). stop lug 565 formed on the periphery of the:roll er retaining member :flange 550 r as shown in. Figures 4, 6, 7 and8 '"By this cngagementthe roller retaining member 554 is stopped in its-rov tation, releasing the clutch :rollers from their wedging engagementwith the clutch driving ring 1 539. A stop lug 566 is formed on theperiphery of flange 556 and engages the clutch control lover 564 to stopthe rotation of the clutch and mechanism driven thereby at the end ofeach operating cycle of the machine.

-Means are provided to prevent reverse rotation of flange 556 when theclutch is disengaged at the end of each operating cycle of the machineand this means (Figures 2 and 8) may include a stop disc 522a securedupon the rear end of shaft 522 by means of taper pin 52%. The stop discis provided with a stop shoulder 5220 (Figure 2) which shoulder isengaged by the free end of stop pawl 522d pivotally carried by asuitable supporting disc 522a mounted upon the rear frame bracket I64 bymeans of screws 522 A compression spring 522g acts between the free endof stop pawl 522d and spring pin 522h which pin is carried by thesupporting disc 522a This spring acts to yieldingly maintain the stoppawl in operative engagement with the stop disc 522a. The stop shoulder5220 is positioned to be engaged by said pawl just prior to thedisengagement of clutch 526.

The clutch will remain in its disengaged condition as long as the stoplugs 565 and 566 (Figure 4) are held against rotation by the clutchcontrol lever 564. The disengagement of control lever 564 from the stoplugs 565 and 566 will permit the clutch spring 555 (Figure 9) to advancethe roller retaining member 554 and to thereby return the clutchrollers'into wedging engagement with the clutch driving ring 539, in themanner previously described to drive the machine through a completecycle of operation. Upon the completion of this cycle of operation thestop lugs 565 and 566 (Figure 4) will again contact the clutch controllever 564 to disengage the clutch and stop the driven mechanism of themachine.

The trip lever 549 and clutch control lever 564 are mounted on a shockabsorbing or cushioning means generally indicated at-56l in Figures 4.,6 and '1. trol lever 564 are pivotally mounted on a common pivot pin 568(Figure 4) carried by supporting lever 569. The supporting lever 569 ishinged as at,519 to a, bracket casting 51! which casting The trip lever549 and the clutch conspring bore 583 and a headed pin 584. The head ofthis pin engages the under surface of the hinge plate 589. The clutchtrip lever 549 (Figure 4) is yieldingly maintained in the path of delayclutch stop lug 541 by spring 585 interconnected between the lowr end oftrip lever 549 and a pin 586 on the transmission frame bracket I63. Theclutch control lever 564 i yieldingly maintained in the path of stoplugs 565 and 566 of the main clutch-by means of a sprin 581interconnected between the lower end of lever 564 and pin 586.

A pair of eccentric stop discs mounted on screw 589 to control the restposition of the clutch trip and control lever 549 and 564 respectively.

Clutch control mechanism 591 (Figure 4) The clutch mechanism alsoincludes safety control features whereby unless the machine is in properoperating condition, the clutch control mechanism cannot be actuated todrive the mein turn is mounted on the front transmission bracket I63 atthree different points by suitable shock absorbing devices 512 (Figure6). The bracket casting 51I (Figure 4) is provided with a vertical bore513 and the Wall of the bore adjacent the clutch trip and control leversis slotted as at 514. The supporting lever 569 is provided with a finger515 which projects through slot 514 into bore 513 and rests on top ofdisc 516, which disc is maintained in its uppermost position bycompression spring 511 acting between said disc and the bottom of thebracket casting bore 513.

To limit the upward-movement of support lever finger 515, the upper endof the bracket casting bore 513 is adjusting plug 518 which plug ismaintained in its adjusted position by a suitable set screw 519.

This mechanism absorbs the major shock in stopping the driving clutch atthehend of its op erating cycle. In order to prevent the upsetting orbattering of the upper end of control lever 564, as well as the stop lug'565 and 566, the upper end of stop lever 564 is provided withadditional cushioning means in the form of a plate 589 (Figure 5) hingedto the upper end of control lever 564 as at 58I and yieldingly engagedby a compression spring 582 which compression spring 582 isinterposedbetween the bottom of screw threaded to receive an,

ter. The entire clutch control mechanism is shown diagrammatically inFigure 4, and in detail with relation to other parts of the machine inFigures 6, '1, 14, 16, 18-21, inclusive.

Certain portions of the clutch control mechanism are common to both theautomatic and manual actuating elements. The portion of the controlmechanism common for both manual and automatic actuating elementscomprises a horizontally floating link 592 which is provided atits leftend as viewed in Figure 4 with a pin 593. The-pin 593 is slidablyassociated with slot 594 in the lower end of an upwardly extendingradius link 595, the upper end of which link is hinged as at 596 to theend of cam lever 591. The cam lever i pivotally mounted on tie bar 598used for keeping the front and rear transmisson brackets I63 and I64 ina spaced apart relation (see Figure 3) A tension spring 599 (Figure 4) iinterconnected between the pin 593 on floating link 592 and pin 60!] onthe radius link 595 to resiliently urge the pin 593 against the upperend of slot 594. The opposite end of floating link 592 is provided witha longitudinal slot 6! which engages a pin 692 on a lever 603 whichlever in turn is rigidly fastened to a shaft 694 in any suitable manner.The shaft 694 is p votally supported in the front transmission bracketI63 and extends towards the front of the machine where it is adapted forconnection to a tripping device actuated by the mail matter passingalong the conveyor system I53 as will be later described.

gage the surface 696 of step-cut block 661 fastened to the lower end ofdelay clutch trip lever 549 by means of a screw and nut assembly 608.

A tension sprin 699 is interposed between pin 6!!) on the fronttransmission bracket I63 and pin 6H on the floating link 592 normallyurges said floating link to the right as viewed in Figure 4 so that theend of slot 69I engages the pin .662 on lever 693 thereby maintainingsaid lever 589 and 590 are roller 6112a; and cam- 6l 3, thecam-lever 551is urged upwardly by means of compression spring Sit which is interposedbetween the bottom of bore 6E5 (Figured) drilled in" stud 6H fastened tothafront trans-mission bracket N5 3- and the bottom of a counterbore '6H? inthe cam arm 5&1. The periphery of the cam- 6 I3 is provided with aI fiat: portion 6| a which is inengagement with cam roller 6H when themain-shaft 522 and its assoelated clutch-526 are in their normal restposftion i as illustrated in Figures 4 and 6.

As: has been. pointed: out in the: above-noted Sager et al. application,the clutch control mech-.

anosrn 5! may be operated automatically either by the mail;matteripassing along: the conveying system: lid-3 or manually when agummed tape device described in said application is in printing PositionThe automatic. and manual controls are bothoperative:fibttt-not-conourrentlyl to drive the. floating link 592 totheleft as: viewed in Fig- 4; and 6 to:- efiect engagement or the. clutch;

' when the clutch control mechanism 59.! main I shaft 522! and its,associated clutch 525': are; all in their rcstiposi-tionas shown inFigure 4,. the float,-

ihg link abutment 605 during the: longitudinat travel of the floatinglink. 592 to the left will err-r ease the surface 606* at the, lower endof delay: clutch trip! lever 549 and will, thereby swing said trip lever549 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 5 and 6,, about pin568,. causing the upper end of said lever to disengage the stop lug 5U"ofthe delay clutch spring ring 541. The

spring ring 54],, upon its release, will contractabout the periphery ofthe clutch ring 539- causi'n'g saidspring ring to rotate therewith.Aftera predetermined rotation of the delay clutch spring ring; 541, itscam lobe 548' will engage roller 62.0;

mounted on, pin 58 l at the upper end of'the clutch I control lever 6'54swinging said control lever in a.

clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 4 and 6,, to; release the stoplugs 56 5' and 56-6 on the flanges 580 and 556 respectively, therebyoperatively engaging the meter driving clutch 526.

The initial rotation of. cam 6J3 depresses. cam lever 59'! downwardlywhich in turn through radios link 595 depresses the floating link 5H2,Thfs downward movement oi link 592' lowers its abutment 605 until saidabutment clears the surface 606 formed; on the lower end of delayclutchtrip lever 549 to thereby permit said trip lever to return to itsnormal'position even. though the envelope or manual trip mechanism-sshould be maintained depressed during, the operation of the meterdriving clutch and thereby insuring the automatic disengagement of themain. driving, clutch at the, end of each operating cycle: of themachine. in the manner previously described.

If. the driving. shaftl522 and its associated clutch 526 shoulclbe inany other than their normal restpositlon illustratedin Figures- 4' and6, cam lever 591? will be depressed by cam 6 l3 so-that. the floating,link abutment 605 will pass below the trip lever contact surface 606upon actuation otlinkeither or the previously referred to trippingelements, thereby preventing the actuation of the delayed clutch controllever-549i.

El ie floating link 592 is actuatedto swing the delay clutch trippinglever 54.9 to release the delay clutch. into driving engagement eachtime an envelope or other piece of matter is conveyed past the envelopetripping mechanism 6-2! (Figures I l-21). Any suitable form of envelopetrip mechanism may be employed.

It is one: of thefeaturesoi this invention, howtormedas part of a singlepl ate'securely fastened to one end. of, control: shaft 625: while thethird trip finger 624 may be fastened upon one endoi control sleeve626., Control shaft. 625 is journaled in control sleeve 6726i and thecontrol sleeve turn is. iournaled in. a suitablebearlng' 6'21 fastened'to the control carriage 628 by flange 629 and rivets 6.30 (Figures 2.0and. 2.17) Itis desirable to'associ-ate with saidTtriggers' a controlmechanism arranged. to respond, to the simultaneous action of' saidtriggers for actuating. the clutch tripping mechanism and which controlmechanism will beinoperative. to actuate the clutch trippingm'e'clianism when one of s'ai'd triggers is not actuated by the envelopeor, mail matter conveyed by the conveying system. i This.control'mechani'sm may include a control element 63f fastened to theopposite end of control shaft 625 and a second control element 632fastened upon the inner end of control sleeve 626' an'dinter-.posed'between these two control elements is a trip lever 633-journal'eid upon. the control shaft E125; The control element 63'l1i'sprovided with a cam lug 63% while the control element 632 is providedwith a similar cam lu g 6e5' positioned in opposed-relation, and saidlugs being directly opposite when the triggers are'in, their normalretracted positions. Thetrip lever 663" is provided with a ball 636mounted within a suitable bore 63*), said ball being of a: greaterdiameter than the thickness of said lever as shown in Figures 20 and 21.The: A

ball 636' is conflnedw-ithirr bore 63! by the control elements 634 and632' wln'chfarespaced sufli ciently apart to perm-it' limited movementofthe: ball within-its bore 637. The" ball 6'36 acts as alrey whichpisengaged by cam lugs 638 and 635 wherrthe trip fingers are simultaneouslymoved when engaged by an envelopeto transmit the movement of thetriggers to the tri p lever 63 3?."

- however; the triggers 622 and 6Z3" which are: fastened tocontrolrshaitz fiz'i are moved while the trigger 524i remainsinitsnormal position of case the. lug: 635

of control member 632 will displace the ball in the same manner as itwas displaced by the cam lug 631, and as a result the meter will not beplaced in operation.

In order to actuate trip lever 633, all of the envelope triggers must beoperated simultaneously thereby rotating the two control elements '63land 632 in unison, whereupon the two lugs 634 and 635 willcorrespondingly be advanced in unison locking the trip lever ballbetween them and thereby actuating the trip lever 633 which actuation,through the mechanism to be described, will place the meter drivingclutch in operation.

A tension spring 638 acts between control elements 63! and spring shaft639 to yieldingly maintain the envelope triggers 622 and 623 in itsenvelope engaging position. A similar spring 640 acts between thecontrol element 632 and spring shaft 639 to maintain the envelopetrigger 624 in its envelope engaging position and a spring GM isprovided to act between the trip lever 633 and spring shaft 639 foryieldingly maintaining this lever in its retracted position.

As described in detail in the above-noted Sager et al. application, aguide plate I16 (Figures 19 and 21) extends from hopper 151 to the meterprinting drum to guide the envelopes during their passage through themachine and properly align them not only withthe printing drum, but alsowith triggers 622, 623 and 624, so that the leadin edge of the envelopewill engage the three triggers simultaneously to effect actuation oftrip lever 633, as hereinbefore described.

The control carriage 628 which carries the envelope trigger mechanism ismounted upon the rear. face of the intermediate frame plat I61 byproviding this plate with four spaced lugs 642 and shoulder screws 643as shown in Figures 14-21 of the drawings.

The carriage is provided with an upstanding stop pin 644 which engagesone of the shoulder screws 643 when the carriage has'been moved to itsposition of adjustment as shown in Figure 14. Control carriage 628 ismade adjustable in order to enable the envelope trigger mechanism to beselectively positioned along the conveyor system to determine the spacebetween the leading edge of the envelopes and the stamps printedthereon.

The means for adjusting and maintaining the control carriage in itsposition of adjustment may include pivotally connecting a latch bar 645(Figure 18) upon the spring shaft 639 and extending the latch barthrough a suitable opening 646 formed in end plate 641 and providing thelatch bar with a series of adjusting notches 648. These notches arearranged to engage the lower edge of the slot 646 to maintain the latchbar in its adjusted position. The forward end of the latch bar isprovided with a right angle bend as shown at 649 to provide an operatinghandle.

The envelope trigger carriage 628 may be adjusted by lifting latch bar645 by means of its handle until the notch is released from the sideplate and then shifting the carriage until one of the other notchesrepresenting the desired location of adjustment of the carriage has beenreached whereupon the carriage may now be locked in its new position byengaging. the notch with the end wall 641 in the manner previouslydescribed. 1

In Figure 14, the trigger carriage 628 is shown latched in the last ofthe adjustment notches 648 and in this position, the stop pin 644engages one of the shoulder screws 643 in which position the stamp willbe placed on the envelope at its greatest spacing from the leading edgethereof, as shown in Figure 15.

In Figure 16 the carriage is shown as it would appear when the latch barhas been shifted until the fourth notch is in engagement with the loweredge of the side plate slot 646. In this position, the stamp will beplaced upon the envelope as shown in Figure 17.

With the adjustment of latch bar-645 as shown in Figure 18, the envelopetrigger carriage will be advanced to disconnect it from the clutchcontrol actuating mechanism in a manner to be described. When theenvelope trigger carriage is adjusted in this position, envelopespassing r through the conveyor system cannot, through the actuation ofthe triggers, place the meter driving clutch in operation and,therefore, this adjustment of the trigger carriage is employed whenenvelopes are to be sealed without printing postage thereon and may be,referred to as the sealing adjustment.

The trip lever 633 is provided with a trip pin 656 extending from theside face thereof and arranged to engage the cam surface 65! of bent1ever 652 fastened to the forward end of shaft 664 of the clutchtripping mechanism 59L As may be noted when comparing Figures 14, 16 and1'7, the trip pin 650 will engage the cam surface 65I of bent lever 652while the latch bar 645 is positioned to engage any one of the firstfour of its notches 648 with the end wall 641. When the latch bar ispositioned to engage the last of its notches with the end wall, thetripping pin 65!] will be advanced beyond the bent lever cam surface 65!as shown in Figure 18, thereby disconnecting the envelope triggermechanism from said surface and through this disconnection the triggerscannot be employed for actuating the clutch tripping mechanism to placethe meter driving clutch in operation.

From the above it may be seen that we have provided a delay actionclutch and control mechanism therefor well adapted to the mail treatingmachine, and which attain the several objects set forth hereirrbefore ina thoroughly practical and eflicient manner.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and asmany changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is tobe understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense,

We claim:

1. In an object treating machine, an object treating element, means forpresenting objects in serial order thereto, trigger means arranged to beactuated by each object presented to said element, a control mechanismassociated with said trigger means and arranged to respond to the actionof said trigger means when engaged by one of said objects for renderingthe treating element active to treat said object, and means movabletoward and away from said treating element for predetermining thelocation of the trigger means with relation 'to said treating element inorder to predetermine the treating register of said objects.

2. In a control mechanism for rendering the treating element of anobjecttreating machine active to treat objects serially presented thereto by aconveyor, including a plurality of trigger means intercepting the pathof travel of objects carried by the conveyor and each of said triggermeans having a cam surface associated therewith, a control member forrendering the treatiiig'lefiliit iifiiv, and a") K63! means firrici byth'tifihtfdl member'and'arranged to be engaged Q'iffihcam surfaces ofSaid trigger means toact-uate the control member when 8111 Of'Saidtrigger ll'ldfilfis I'llOVd in unison,- alid to pass the cam Witho'libitllatill g the control member a control rnclianisfiiass'ociated withsaid trigger aiid arranged t respondto fih actiontheieor engaged 135 M18ofsaid dbj'tsfOI lfld'ei ing-said treating element aetive to treat saidb sgsreg'sce Sfiid fafihg element for predetermiumg the 16*- foatidfififSIEiLiCl-triggef with relationto saidtreaa iiig ln'int in order topredetermme the tread itIg TQiSter of said objects, 1 an clbjeettreatingmachine, means for presenting objects in serial order thereto-amenberslidably mounted on said machine, a trigger pivotally mounted onsaid-member and disposed in the patl-i of said-objected) be actuatedthereby when each is presented to said element, a control mechanismassociated with said trigger and arranged to respond to movement of saidtrigger when it is engaged by one of said objects for rendering saidtreating element active to treat said object, and means for selectivelypositioning said member and accordingly said trigger with relation tosaid treating element in order to predetermine the treating register ofsaid objects.

5. In an object treating machine, means for presenting objects in serialorder thereto, a member slidably mounted on said machine, a triggerpivotally mounted on said member and disposed in the path of saidobjects to be actuated thereby when each is presented to said element, acontrol mechanism, associated with said trigger and arranged to respondto movement of said trigger when it is engaged by one of saidobjects forrendering said, treating element active to treat said object, and meansfor moving said member and accordingly said trigger out of operativeassociation with said control mechanism whereby said objects can passthrough said machine without actuating said object treating element. I

6. In an object treating machine, a source of pnwer, an object treatingelement, clutch means 'op-erable for connecting said element with saidsource, a trigger arranged to be actuated by each.

o bject presented to said treating element, a link, means mounting saidlink for substantially horizontal and pivotal movement, means forming anoperative connection between said trigger and said link whereby whensaid trigger is moved upon engagement by one of said objects therewithsaid linkis movedhorizontally, a clutch control member for normallyholding said clutch' in disenp 7. In a mail treating machine, incombination, 4 a printing drumoperable to print on mail matter,

means for delivering man matter in senar omer tesaiddrum, triggerarrangedto be actuated eachpiece of mail delivered to said d-ffll'i'i, acarriage movablymounted saidrna chine, said trigger means being 'sduli dtossed carriage, a control mechanism associate with said trigger meansafidjarrariged to respond to the action of said trigger means whenengaged by a piece of mail for rendering said printing d'ruiii activateprint on and mail, andrneans for manualiy -movmg said. carriageand'aeordi-figly said-trigger-means relative to said printing drum forpredetermining the location or the trigger means with relation to saidprinting: thus to predetermine the printing register of the mailmatter-. F

.8-. Apparatus according to claim'iin which the means which moves the 3carriage comprises a member having one end secured to the carriage andits'otherend extending xteriorly amnesia enine-so-as'-'to be readilyaccessible for manual operation-. I

- 9. Apparatusaccdrding to claim? in which the means which movesthecarriage comprises a member having one end seciirdtd the carriage andits other end extending exteriorly of the machine so as to be readilyaccessible for manual operation, and means for locating said element inany one of a plurality of adjusted positions.

10. Apparatus according to claim '7 wherein said carriage is movable toan extreme position wherein said trigger means are disabled to actuatesaid control mechanism whereby actuation of the trigger means when insaid extreme position does not effect operation of the printing drum.

11. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cam surfaces on thetrigger means are opposed to one another and when operated in unisonengage the key means to actuate the control member, said key meanscomprising a movable element displaceable in one direction or the otherby either of said trigger means when said trigger means are not moved inunison.

12. In a delay type of clutch control mechanism wherein there isapredetermined delay following each actuation of the clutch controlmechanism before the sourceof power can be transmitted through the maindriving clutch, in combination, a driving member, a driven member,normally disengaged means associated with said members and engageabletherewith to effect a driving relation therebetween, a springelementfrictionally associated with said driving member and having abias tending to connect it thereto so as to be driven thereby, movabletrip means normally holding said element out of driving relation withsaid driving member and movable out of its holding position to releasesaid element into tight en- I gagement with said driving member so as tobe driven thereby, and second trip means normally holding saidfirst-mentioned means out of engagement and adapted to be moved to areleasing position by said spring element at a time subsequent to itsoperation by said driving member.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said driving membercomprises a drum which is constantly driven from the source of power andsaid spring element comprises a slip ring disposed about said drum andnormally held out of driving relation with said drum by said first tripmeans, said slip ring having a contracting bias which causes it to gripsaid drum when it is released upon movement of said first trip means.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said second trip meanscomprises a pivoted lever and means on said spring element for pivotingsaid lever out of its holding position in relation to, said normallydisengaged means thereby to eiiect a driving relation between saiddriving and driven members.

15. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said second trip meanscomprises a pivoted lever and means on said spring element for pivotingsaid lever out of its holding position in relation to said normallydisengaged means thereby to eiiect a driving relation between saiddriving and driven members, and spring means for moving said lever backinto a position to hold said normally disengaged means to disconnectsaid members subsequent to one cycle of operation thereof.

16. In an object treating machine having a treating mechanism fortreating objects successively delivered thereto, a driving means and aclutch for coupling said driving means to said mechanism, means forengaging and disengaging said clutch comprising: control meansassociated with said clutch and movable between clutch engaging anddisengaging positions, means including a lever actuated by movement ofeach object toward said treating device, a link pivotally connected tosaid lever and adapted upon movement thereof to move longitudinally withrespect to said control means for moving said control means to itsclutch engaging position, and interlock means responsive to an operativecondition of said treating mechanism and movable against one edge'ofsaid link to hold it clear of said control means when said treatingmechanism is in said condition to prevent actuation thereof in responseto the longitudinal movement of said link.

1'7. In a printing machine, printing means located at a printingstation, means for consecutively feeding matter to be printed thereto,and control means rendered active by each piece of matter arriving atthe printing station for rendering the printing means active to print animpression thereon, in which the matter engaging portion of said controlmeans is adjustable along the path of travel of the matter forpredetermim ing the longitudinal position of the printing of theimpression thereon.

FRANK P. SAGER. COMMODORE D. RYAN.

